Photo: Laura Durenberger-Grunow 

By Brittany North - Boreal Community Media - June 3, 2026

The Superior Hiking Trail is turning 40, and everyone is invited to celebrate across the North Shore. 

The Superior Hiking Trail Association, established in 1986, will mark its 40th anniversary on Saturday, June 6, with four birthday parties taking place along the trail corridor. Events will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at Voyager Brewing in Grand Marais, Bluefin Bay in Tofte, Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors, and Ursa Minor Brewing in Duluth.

"We wanted to be able to celebrate in many of the communities that the Superior Hiking Trail has impacted, and communities that have supported or influenced the development of the trail as well," said Mackenzie Foley, Director of Communications and Development for the Superior Hiking Trail Association.

Before the celebrations begin, hikers are encouraged to take part in a community-wide effort to cover every mile of the trail's 300-mile route. Participants can register online for a trailhead of their choice and create their own adventure. "You get to choose where you'll go, what time you go, how fast you want to hike, or if you want a trail run, or maybe you want to go out and forage," Foley said.

The anniversary is about more than just the trail itself. Foley said the celebration highlights the community that has helped build and sustain the Superior Hiking Trail over the past four decades. "It's been a community-driven effort," she said. "Folks coming together because they care about this place that is northern Minnesota.” 

While many people associate the Superior Hiking Trail with long-distance backpacking, Foley notes that most trail users are day hikers. "The vast majority of our trail users, based on a survey we had a couple years ago, are day hikers," she said. "It's people just getting out day of on the trail, connecting with nature, connecting with themselves, and moving outside."

The trail continues to thrive thanks to volunteers and members. Foley said volunteers contributed more than 10,000 hours last year helping maintain trail sections, campsites, and infrastructure along the route. "We like to say that this trail is volunteer-powered and member-supported since 1986," Foley said. "It's really kind of a grassroots effort to create, to maintain, to protect this community treasure that we have."

She encourages everyone, whether they're longtime hikers or first-time visitors, to take part in the celebration.

"This is a celebration for everyone," Foley said. "This trail exists because people came together and decided that this was important."

For more information about the June 6 events, hiking opportunities, volunteer opportunities, or memberships, visit the Superior Hiking Trail Association website.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHT!